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Category: Politics

  • Albanese and Singapore’s Wong unite to safeguard fuel supplies as Middle East conflict rages

    Albanese and Singapore’s Wong unite to safeguard fuel supplies as Middle East conflict rages

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday held talks with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who also serves as Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament for Marsiling, about strengthening cooperation to secure the fuel Australia needs with its international partners and longstanding friends.

    Albanese, in a statement, noted that he and the Singaporean leader agreed to support the flow of essential goods, including petroleum oils such as diesel, and liquefied natural gas between the two countries. He emphasised: “We’ll keep working closely as we deal with the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East. We’re working with partners around the world to make sure fuel keeps moving to where it’s needed most.”

    According to Albanese, overseas conflict is disrupting global supply chains, and Australia is taking proactive steps to manage the impacts domestically. 

    In a related effort, the Prime Minister also met with Dr Fatih Birol of the International Energy Agency to discuss strategies for working with trading partners to secure fuel supply. The ongoing war in the Middle East — involving the United States, Israel, and Iran — and the closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz has created significant instability in international oil markets.

    Australia consumes around 1.1 million barrels of oil per day, or approximately 33 million barrels per month, underscoring the importance of ensuring steady imports and reliable supply lines during this period of global uncertainty. The move by the Prime Minister is seen as a critical step in navigating a difficult period and safeguarding national energy security.

  • Kim Jong Un reappointed to North Korea’s top policy body

    Kim Jong Un reappointed to North Korea’s top policy body

    INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 23, 2026 — North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has been reappointed as president of the State Affairs Commission, according to reports from the country’s state-run media.

    This latest reappointment underscores Kim’s continued dominance over the nation’s political structure and decision-making processes. It marks the third consecutive time he has been chosen to lead the commission since its establishment in 2016, when it was created as the country’s highest policy guidance body.

    The State Affairs Commission plays a central role in shaping North Korea’s domestic and foreign policy, and Kim’s repeated appointments highlight his firm grip on power and the enduring influence of his leadership within the government framework.

  • Tinubu vows to tackle insecurity, urges governors’ support after UK visit

    Tinubu vows to tackle insecurity, urges governors’ support after UK visit

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed not to let insecurity overshadow his administration’s efforts to support the vulnerable. He pledged on Sunday in Lagos while hosting Vice President Kashim Shettima and 23 APC governors and Borno’s Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, who paid him Sallah homage after his state visit to England.

    According to a Statehouse release by Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he had advanced discussions on modern security interventions with French President Emmanuel Macron.

    Tinubu thanked the governors: “Your presence here today shows sincerity, commitment, and value for friendship. The next phase of our struggle is insecurity. I am making all efforts to ensure we share the joy of victory over tyranny. Insecurity is an enemy of development and prosperity.” He added that talks in the UK focused on equipment and support, and that France and other nations were collaborating with Nigeria.

    The President and First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, returned Friday from a three-day visit to the UK, where they were hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, and met Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

    “We should care more for the vulnerable. The Middle East crisis will spike inflation and affect purchasing power. Labour unions will ask for more support due to its impact,” Tinubu noted. He urged governors to remain steadfast in implementing policies that directly improve citizens’ lives and to cushion inflationary effects on energy and transport.

    Tinubu also commended Vice President Shettima for his condolence visit to Borno, assuring stronger protection through new technology.

    In his remarks, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, thanked Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda and congratulated him on the UK visit, the first in 37 years. He said: “Together, we must end insecurity. Discussions on state police are ongoing, and the NGF will take proposals to the National Assembly.”

    Governors present included Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Alex Otti (Abia), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina), Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo).

  • Shettima, APC governors pay Sallah homage to Tinubu, laud gains of England visit

    Shettima, APC governors pay Sallah homage to Tinubu, laud gains of England visit

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Nigeria’s southeastern state of Imo, on Sunday, joined Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, in leading his colleagues from the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) on a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence.

    According to a statement by the governor, now in his second term in office and a prominent leader of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), on March 22, the visit provided a meaningful opportunity to celebrate Eid in a spirit of unity, reflection, and renewed commitment to national progress.

    He noted that the APC governors shared constructive thoughts with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on key national issues and commended him on his recent State Visit to England, which strengthened strategic alignment between both nations for greater mutual benefit. The governor emphasised that the visit not only deepened bilateral ties but also opened fresh avenues for collaboration in trade, education, and security cooperation, underscoring Nigeria’s growing influence on the global stage.

    Beyond diplomatic goodwill, the England visit yielded tangible gains, including renewed commitments for increased foreign direct investment, expanded scholarship opportunities for Nigerian students, and enhanced cooperation in technology transfer. These outcomes, according to Uzodimma, are expected to accelerate Nigeria’s drive toward industrialisation, improve human capital development, and bolster national security frameworks.

    “I am optimistic that our dear Imo State stands well-positioned to harness the opportunities emerging from these engagements for sustainable growth, investment, and improved outcomes for our people,” Uzodimma stated.

  • Bobi Wine hits back at Muhoozi Kainerugaba: ‘Your intelligence is not intelligent’

    Bobi Wine hits back at Muhoozi Kainerugaba: ‘Your intelligence is not intelligent’

    AFRICA (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — Ugandan opposition leader and candidate of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the last presidential election, Bobi Wine, has fired back at General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). This came after Muhoozi mocked him in a post on X, following Wine’s escape to the United States.

    Muhoozi, in a post on X, had reportedly ridiculed Wine, writing: “I saw a video of Kabobi transiting through Kigali airport. I’m sure it is an AI video, but if it’s true I hope the airport officials thoroughly disinfected him. He had just come out of a pit latrine.” He further accused Wine of abandoning his followers: “Kabobi fled the country on January 26, eleven days after the elections. He has spent two months in the United States eating Big Macs while his followers are in jail. Some leader.”

    Wine, in a sharp rebuttal, called Muhoozi “daft,” pointing out contradictions in his claims. “On January 30, you told the world I was hiding in the US Embassy. Now you say I fled on January 26. Why then were roadblocks mounted until March 14 searching for me? Why did you raid Harriet Chemtai’s home on February 4, or abduct my PA’s wife on March 12, claiming I was hiding there?” He concluded: “Do you now realise that your intelligence is NOT intelligent?”

    On March 12, Wine alleged brutality against his campaign team during the 2021 elections, noting that police officers attached to him were violently attacked, arrested, and interrogated about his funding and strategies. He stressed that similar harassment has continued into 2026, with campaign officers again being detained.

    “These officers are targeted simply for doing their job with professionalism and patriotism. May we all stand in solidarity with them and work for their freedom,” Wine urged.

  • Iranian attacks will get to you, Netanyahu warns Europe to join fight

    Iranian attacks will get to you, Netanyahu warns Europe to join fight

    MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Europe is not safe from Iranian attacks after Iran reportedly fired an intercontinental ballistic missile over 4,000 km, striking Diego Garcia—an American-British military base in the Indian Ocean.  

    Netanyahu made the declaration when he inspected the impact site of an Iranian missile attack on March 21, 2026, in the Israeli town of Dimona on Saturday.

    He said, “I’ve been warning for years. Leaders of the free world. The leaders of the moderate states, what more are you waiting for? President Trump has correctly said that Israel and the United States, in this great partnership; we are fighting the battle, not only for ourselves but for all of you. And he asks a simple question: where are you? And it’s time to head to President Trump’s call.”

    Dimona hosts a facility widely believed to house the region’s only nuclear arsenal, though Israel has never officially acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons. Iran’s atomic energy organisation accused the U.S. and Israel of targeting Natanz but said no radioactive leakage was reported.

    The Israeli military said interception attempts were made as the missiles approached, but it is still unclear if the nuclear site was hit. Iranian state television framed the strike as a “response” to Natanz. 

    The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has not yet issued a statement confirming damage or a leak at the site, as it urged restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

  • Governor Radda Hosts 17 ambassadors, envoys at Katsina Sallah celebrations

    Governor Radda Hosts 17 ambassadors, envoys at Katsina Sallah celebrations

    KATSINA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, on March 21 hosted seventeen ambassadors and diplomatic envoys during the Sallah celebrations in Katsina. The governor described culture as a powerful bridge for peace, unity, and sustainable development, fostering mutual understanding, strengthening social cohesion, and serving as a foundation for inclusive growth and global collaboration.

    In a statement on Sunday, Radda noted that Katsina holds a prominent place in the history of Northern Nigeria as a renowned centre of learning, commerce, and Islamic scholarship, with enduring legacies reflected in landmarks such as the Gobarau Minaret and the traditions of the Katsina and Daura Emirates.

    “I was honored to receive a distinguished delegation of Ambassadors and diplomatic envoys, led by the Ambassador of Belgium to Nigeria, His Excellency Pieter Leenknegt, who joined us to witness the 2026 Sallah Durbar Festivals,” Radda said.

    The delegation included envoys from France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Turkey, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Their participation in Hawan Sallah, Hawan Sarki (Hawan Bariki), and Hawan Magajiya reflected growing global recognition of Katsina’s cultural heritage.

    Beyond culture, the governor showcased strides in security, agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and water supply—pillars of his administration’s development agenda. He reaffirmed Katsina’s commitment to confronting insecurity through strategic operations and community-based initiatives aimed at lasting peace.

    “We do not claim perfection, nor do we ignore the challenges that remain,” Radda said, acknowledging communities still yearning for peace, families seeking relief, and young people in search of opportunity. “True leadership is not measured by how far we have come, but by our commitment to the journey ahead.”

    On behalf of the people of Katsina, the governor expressed appreciation to the visiting envoys and the international community, adding: “Katsina remains open to the world—for partnership, for business, for cultural exchange, and for shared prosperity.”

  • President Tinubu celebrates Tony Elumelu, Africa’s Business Icon on birthday

    President Tinubu celebrates Tony Elumelu, Africa’s Business Icon on birthday

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Mr Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu, renowned economist, banker, and philanthropist, on his birthday. In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu described Elumelu as an African business icon and a leading advocate of Nigerian and African enterprise.

    Elumelu, chairman of Heirs Holdings, United Bank for Africa (UBA), and Transcorp, has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most influential business leaders. He is also the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, which has become a continental force for entrepreneurship and youth empowerment. Tinubu commended his resilience, excellence, and unwavering belief in Africapitalism—a philosophy that emphasises private sector-led development to transform Africa.

    The President particularly lauded the Foundation’s entrepreneurship programme, which has trained 2.5 million young Africans across 54 countries and empowered over 24,000 entrepreneurs with non-refundable seed capital of $5,000 each. This initiative, Tinubu noted, reflects Elumelu’s deep commitment to investing in Africa’s future by equipping young people with the tools to innovate, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth.

    “As Elumelu celebrates this special occasion, the President joins his family and friends to wish him good health, strength, and continued success in his pursuits,” the statement concluded.

  • Nigeria clarifies UK migration partnership to correct misinformation

    Nigeria clarifies UK migration partnership to correct misinformation

    ABUJA, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 22, 2026 — The Nigerian government has issued a clarification on the recently signed Nigeria-UK migration partnership, stressing that contrary to circulating claims, the agreement does not compel Nigeria to accept foreign nationals.

    In a press statement released on March 21, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, explained that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the UK is designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on migration management. He emphasised that the MoU builds on earlier accords signed in 2012, 2017, and 2022, and is valid for five years, renewable for another five years.

    The agreement, signed by Nigeria’s Minister of Interior and the UK Home Secretary, establishes a framework for regulated migration flows and cooperation against irregular migration. It also provides for the dignified return of nationals who no longer have the right to remain in either country.

    Officials highlighted that repatriated individuals must be verified as genuine nationals, treated with dignity, and allowed to carry personal belongings. Reintegration support is included, ranging from short-term reception and transportation assistance to longer-term opportunities in education, entrepreneurship, and vocational training.

    Nigeria retains full authority over the documentation of returnees, with the Nigeria Immigration Service responsible for issuing all required documents. Any identification errors must be corrected at the requesting country’s expense. The MoU also outlines procedures for appeals under human rights legislation, ensuring that cases involving long-term residents or vulnerable individuals are reviewed carefully.

    Onanuga urged media organisations to verify information before publication, warning that misinformation undermines public confidence. He stressed that the partnership is designed to protect rights, safeguard national interests, and strengthen Nigeria’s global standing while deepening ties with the United Kingdom.

  • Iran strikes Israeli nuclear-site town of Dimona, injuring many

    Iran strikes Israeli nuclear-site town of Dimona, injuring many

    MIDDLE EAST(NPA) — March 22, 2026 — An Iranian missile has reportedly struck the Israeli town of Dimona on Saturday, home to a nuclear facility, in what Tehran described as retaliation for an earlier strike on its Natanz enrichment complex.

    Dimona hosts a facility widely believed to house the region’s only nuclear arsenal, though Israel has never officially acknowledged possessing nuclear weapons. Iran’s atomic energy organisation accused the U.S. and Israel of targeting Natanz but said no radioactive leakage was reported.

    According to AFP, Israeli authorities confirmed a direct hit on a building in Dimona, with emergency responders treating 33 injured, including a 10-year-old boy in serious condition from shrapnel wounds. Paramedics described “extensive damage and chaos” at the scene. 

    The Israeli military said interception attempts were made as the missiles approached, but it is still unclear if the nuclear site was hit. Iranian state television framed the strike as a “response” to Natanz. 

    The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has not yet issued a statement confirming damage or a leak at the site, as it urged restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.